Can People Just Walk into Church on Sunday?

You may be surprised but this really was a question I was asked by a lovely lady on Saturday at our community fun day.

We were having such a great day, surrounded by people, having fun, enjoying simply being. We had over 300 guests, on inflatables, playing football in the football cage, winning coconuts from a coconut shy, decorating biscuits and some just sitting having a coffee and listening to the incredible music. It was a question that I was not expecting, but the question itself is one that we were answering by the very fact we were having a fun day. Why do we do what we do? Is it to raise money? No, in fact all the activities were free… so why?

The reason we opened our doors wide was simply to welcome our neighbours and those in our local community into our home, and to be a blessing to each and every one. You see, when you come every week, church is so easy to come to; it’s familiar, it’s inviting, it’s home, and so for us it seems obvious that people could just show up and be welcome, we think it is so normal for people to just walk in, but I have discovered that this is not true for everyone.

In the last couple of years this is a question I have been asked on more than one occasion. Or another similar question: “Is it ok to come to your church? Can anyone come?”

Even though our doors are open every week many feel just like that lady, and so on Saturday it was incredible to open them wide and invite our neighbours in. You see… Church is not just for us—a comfortable club to belong to—but rather church has been known over centuries as the only group that exists for the benefit of its non-members.

At Valley Church we are totally convinced that this is what we are here for. We are here to share the good news of Jesus Christ with anyone who wants to know Him, anyone looking for love, needing hope, friendship, or a purpose in life, struggling with fear, anxiety, or just wondering what the point of life is and why we are here on earth. It is for this reason that we want to make it as easy as we can for people to walk through our doors. Every week we have services in up to 4 locations, coming up soon we have a bonfire night, Youth on Tour, and in December our Christmas specials and New Year parties.

Is this your opportunity to open wide the doors?

Who in your world is asking “is it ok for anyone to come to your church?” Who is in need of answers, or looking for hope, significance or love? Who are you bringing with you on this incredible journey of life?

Jesus said in John 10:10 ‘I have come that they may have life and life to the full’.

Perhaps today you are reading this and have never been to Valley Church. Perhaps church for you has always been cold and irrelevant. Maybe you are new to the area, or a student, or one of our neighbours who came on Saturday or perhaps you are just wondering if you can simply come along. We would absolutely love to hear from you and help you walk through our doors and know you are welcome. If you want to speak to someone we would love to hear from you.

Hope to see you soon,
Michele